This blog post shares over 10 affordable skincare dupes that perform like their luxury counterpart. Also sharing skincare tips, and skincare products from the drugstore.
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Let’s face it—skincare can get really expensive. With new luxury products constantly hitting the market, it’s easy to feel tempted to splurge on that $200 serum or $150 moisturizer everyone is raving about. But what if we told you that you don’t have to drain your wallet to get glowing, healthy skin? Enter: skincare dupes.
Skincare dupes are affordable alternatives to high-end products that deliver similar (or sometimes identical) results. And here’s the best part—many of these budget-friendly options are made by the same companies or chemists behind luxury brands. That’s right: you can save big without sacrificing quality.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best skincare dupes for 2025, their benefits, and why they deserve a spot in your routine. Ready to save some serious cash while still treating your skin like royalty? Let’s dive in.
Are Skincare Dupes Even Effective?
We’re all want the best bang for our buck these days. And affordable skincare that deliver luxury-level results?! It’s hard to believe, right? In 2025, the skincare market is flooded with expensive products promising miraculous results. But, savvy beauty enthusiasts know that effective alternatives exist at fraction of the cost.
The beauty industry has a little secret: many luxury and drugstore brands are owned by the same parent companies. Brands like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder create products across all price points. This means that the same research and development teams often work on both high-end and budget-friendly formulations.
For example:
- L’Oréal Group owns both SkinCeuticals (luxury) and CeraVe (affordable).
- Estée Lauder Companies owns La Mer (luxury) and The Ordinary (budget-friendly).
- Unilever owns K18 Hair (luxury) and Dove (drugstore).
While luxury products often have fancier packaging and heavier marketing budgets, the formulations themselves can be strikingly similar to their drugstore counterparts. In fact, many affordable dupes contain the same active ingredients, making them just as effective—if not better.
So, if you’re ready to save money without compromising on results, keep reading for the best skincare dupes that are worth every penny.
The Best Skincare Dupes for 2025
I’ve rounded up some of the most popular luxury skincare products—and their budget-friendly dupes—so you can decide where to splurge and where to save.
Serums and Treatments
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($169) → Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum ($29) and Prequel Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum ($38)
- Why They’re Dupes: Both Timeless and Prequel deliver high concentrations of effective ingredients like stabilized Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, and Vitamin E, mirroring the brightening and antioxidant effects of SkinCeuticals. Timeless offers a no-frills approach at an unbeatable price, while Prequel includes niacinamide for added hydration and skin-soothing benefits. Either way, you’re saving big without compromising results. And don’t forget, Vitamin C is one of the ultimate items to have in your skincare routine like I’ve mentioned in my Minimalist Beauty Routine.
- Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum ($325) → Prequel Multi Quench Plumping Hydration Serum ($28)
- You need to make the swap because: Prequel’s serum features five types of hyaluronic acid molecules to penetrate multiple layers of the skin for deep hydration. But here’s where it truly shines: the active ingredients far outperform a standard hyaluronic acid serum in terms of hydration, plumping, and moisture retention. It’s great for any skin type including acne-prone or eczema prone skin. It’s a game-changer for dry or dehydrated skin—and it saves you over $260!
- Medik8 Copper Peptides Serum ($66) → Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum ($49)
- Why It’s a Dupe: Both serums use copper peptides to promote collagen production and firm the skin. Peach & Lily’s version also includes antioxidants to boost the skin’s natural glow. It’s perfect for anyone looking to improve elasticity and reduce fine lines.
- Allies of Skin Azelaic and Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum ($99) → Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% ($20)
- What’s the difference: These products feature azelaic acid as the star ingredient, targeting hyperpigmentation, redness, and acne. Allies of Skin adds kojic acid for enhanced brightening effects, but Naturium’s formula holds its own by pairing azelaic acid with niacinamide for additional calming and skin barrier support. At a fraction of the price, Naturium’s serum proves that effective brightening doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
- Sunday Riley Good Genes ($85) → Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel ($38)
- Why It’s a Dupe: This gentle lactic acid peel exfoliates dead skin cells and brightens the complexion without irritation. The milk-based formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin, offering similar results to Good Genes for less than half the price. Just remember to start slowly with chemical exfoliants and alternate your days when using retinol products.
As you can start to see, Prequel Skincare has some amazing new dupes. With an impressive ingredient list, it truly is a high-quality skincare brand & one of my favorites.
But keep reading to find some more unexpected and budget-friendly products that are a total game-changer.
Moisturizers and Hydrators
- Rhode Glazing Milk ($32) → BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner ($15)
- Why It’s a Dupe for one of the years’ cult favorites: If you love the dewy, glazed donut look, this mist is for you. It hydrates with a ceramide-lipid complex and leaves your skin looking radiant without feeling greasy. I like using this right after cleansing and before I add my skin treatments. This is amazing if you have oilier skin and are trying to keep your skincare minimal but still effective.
- SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore ($155) → Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Barrier Repair Cream ($45)
- Why It’s a Dupe: Dieux’s Instant Angel cream and SkinCeuticals’ Triple Lipid Restore share the same chemist behind their formulations. Both are packed with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol to strengthen the skin barrier and deliver intense hydration. This is amazing for those with dry skin! The biggest difference? Dieux’s version is significantly more affordable and is a perfect product for those who need that rich, nourishing treatment without the heaviness. If you have more acne-prone skin try their Air Angel product that has a gel-like texture and is just as nourishing.
- K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask ($75) → Minimalist Maleic Bond Repair Complex 5% ($13)
- We can’t forget about hair! This bond repair treatment strengthens and restores damaged hair with similar technology to K18. It’s a must-have for anyone with bleached or chemically treated hair, and it’s available at a fraction of the cost on Amazon.
Specialty Products
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($35) → Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% ($19)
- Switch because: Both products contain 2% salicylic acid (BHA), making them highly effective at unclogging pores, reducing blackheads, and smoothing skin texture. Naturium’s version stands out with the addition of fruit acids and bioactive extracts that enhance exfoliation while keeping the formula gentle on the skin. It’s an excellent option for those wanting similar results as Paula’s Choice for nearly half the price.
- Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask ($150) → The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Mask ($27)
- Are they the same? Both masks use kaolin clay to detoxify the skin and minimize pores. The Ordinary’s version offers the same results at a fraction of the price.
- Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($28) → SkinSmart Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser ($18)
- It’s definitely a Dupe: Both products use hypochlorous acid, a powerful yet gentle ingredient that reduces redness, soothes irritation, and supports skin prone to acne or eczema. While Tower 28’s SOS spray is marketed as a daily facial mist, SkinSmart’s Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser offers a similar formulation with the same active ingredient at a more budget-friendly price point. The SkinSmart cleanser doubles as an effective rinse-off treatment for bacteria and inflammation, making it a versatile option for minimalist skincare routines.
- iS Clinical Youth Complex ($166) → Naturium Multi-Peptide Serum ($25)
- Why It’s a Dupe: This serum features a comparable peptide blend to boost collagen and improve elasticity, making it a fantastic anti-aging option for a much lower cost.
How to Incorporate These Dupes Into Your Routine
One of the best things about skincare dupes is how seamlessly they fit into your routine. Here’s how to use them:
Morning Routine
- Cleanse
- Apply BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner for hydration
- Use Prequel Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum or Timeless Vitamin C Serum to brighten and protect
- Layer Naturium Multi-Peptide Serum for anti-aging benefits
- Lock in moisture with Dieux Instant Angel Cream
- Don’t forget sunscreen!
Evening Routine
- Double-cleanse to remove makeup and sunscreen
- Exfoliate with Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel (2-3 times a week)
- Apply Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Serum for repair and firmness
- Hydrate with Prequel Multi Quench Plumping Serum
- Finish with Dieux Instant Angel Cream
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, skincare isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about finding products that work for your skin.
Whether you’re chasing the perfect glow, repairing damage, or keeping your skin hydrated, these skincare dupes can help you achieve your goals without breaking the bank.
Ready to overhaul your beauty routine? Start small by swapping one high-end product for a cheaper alternative and see how your skin reacts.
Trust me—your skin (and wallet) will thank you. Let me know which one you’ve tried, or any of your favorite dupes I need to add to the list in the comments below.
You might also enjoy my post on How to Make Your Makeup Practically Sweat-proof!
